First Dog Tradition to Continue Under Obama

Worry not dog lovers, the White House will still have a “First Dog” under a Barack Obama administration. Obama had promised that whether or not he won the White House, his daughters Sasha and Malia could get a dog.

“Sasha and Malia, I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us,” Obama said at the start of his victory speech. His predecessors dating back several administrations had dogs and yes, a few cats occupied the White House too.

Obama’s running mate, Joe Biden, is also getting in on the act. He told reporters traveling with him earlier that his wife had promised him a “big dog” if he got elected. Jill Biden had taped pictures of different dogs on the back of the seat in front of him on his campaign plane to inspire the candidate as he criss-crossed the country in the final sprint to election day.

“Jill had said the only way you are getting a dog is if you are president...we didn’t think about vice president,” said Biden. “She said at least if you live in the White House you are home.” He dropped out of the presidential race but when Obama asked him to join the ticket, his wife Jill said if he did so she would let him have the dog he wanted.

[Source: Reuters]